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Unveiling the Real-Life Stories that Served as Inspiration for the 'Casino'

The 1995 Martin Scorsese movie Casino, starring Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, and Sharon Stone, was inspired by an actual tale. This is one of the most intriguing movies about Las Vegas and casino mobs. The plot was based on the life of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, who controlled the Chicago mob's Hacienda, Fremont, and Stardust casinos in Las Vegas for many years.



The movie presents a dazzling and striking image of the bygone era when mafia-controlled casinos. Thank goodness, the market is strictly controlled and safe for customers these days. iGaming NJ offers lots of information on some of the newest PA online casinos, lots of guides, news, articles, and much more. Additionally, players can explore Free £20 No Deposit Casinos to start their gaming experience without any initial investment.


However, to what extent does the Casino adhere to reality? Granted, certain scenarios have been given a drastic makeover, but most of it is true. Let's examine the actual events that the screenwriters were unable to ignore.


1. Real People Serve as the Basis for the Main Characters


Sam "Ace" Rothstein was modeled after the notorious mafioso Frank Rosenthal, while Ginger McKenna was modeled after Rosenthal's wife, Geri McGee, a showgirl from Las Vegas.


Nicky Santoro was based on Anthony Spilotro, while Phillip Green was modeled after the recently deceased criminal and gambling tycoon Allen Glick.


2. Rosenthal Survived a Vehicle Explosion


Rothstein's car bombing escape is based on real-life incidents that occurred to Rosenthal. Rosenthal was spared from certain death by a metal stabilizer plate located under the driver's seat.


3. Rosenthal's Gaming License Was Actually Denied


That is accurate. In real life, Rosenthal lacked a gaming license. The mafia realized that, with his ties to organized crime, attempting to license Rosenthal would be too risky.


The mafia at the casinos where Rosenthal worked came up with a workaround: they gave him less important jobs like entertainment director and food and beverage manager.


4. There Was A Relationship Between Spilotro and Geri


A handful of the individuals in the movie depend on the relationship between McKenna, Rothstein, and Santoro to survive.


Rosenthal's ex-wife McGee and Spilotro are said to have had a connection in real life. Did it influence events in real life in the same way as it did in the movie? Not likely. However, the mob kept staring down at it.


5. Geri's Death Was Caused by a Drug Overdose


One of Rosenthal's worst traumas was the overdose death of his ex-wife, Geri. This is well shown in Casino, when Stone's McKenna meets a similar fate in a hotel towards the movie's conclusion.


6. A Former Costa Rican Casino Executive Was Assassinated in His Own House


Casino depicts many killings, and some of them are based on true crimes. One of the most well-known murders happened when a former casino executive was tracked down and murdered at his Costa Rican residence, leading to a horrific conclusion.


7. Anthony Spilotro and His Sibling Were Both Murdered and Interred in an Indiana Cornfield


Following Rothstein's vehicle explosion, Frank Marino ambushes Santoro and Dominick Pesci. The mob buried Santoro and his brother alive because they thought he caused the explosion and was acting out of control.

The mob is said to have buried Anthony Spilotro and his brother in a cornfield near Indiana.


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